Liquor infractions down over ‘family friendly’ long weekend

PENTICTON – While it was a busy long weekend, there were no fatalities on Penticton roads or waterways, local RCMP say.

The long weekend began with a busy night in the local detachment as jail cells were full Friday night with 13 people jailed for drunkeness or causing a disturbance charges.

RCMP and volunteer continued to patrol the city, regional bike paths and both Skaha and Okanagan Lakes over the weekend.

Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says the 'family friendly' weekend ended on a solid note, with 100 boats checked, and no liquor infractions discovered. Liquor infractions on land were also down this year.

“It was a safe weekend on the roads and in the water, which is a great relief for us. We hope people continue to be safe when mixing alcohol with summer activities,” he says.

Police are concerned about some water activities, however.

“We are still finding boaters towing people without spotters,” Wrigglesworth says, which can carry criminal charges and a $250 fine if caught.

Wrigglesworth also reminds paddleboarders of the requirement to carry life jackets, a sounding device such as a whistle, and a 50-metre rope.

“There are apparently some rental outfits that are telling customers these are optional,” Wrigglesworth says, adding he plans to pay the rental outfitters a visit.

Police did rescue one boater experiencing mechanical difficulties over the weekend.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.